The verdict is that South Africa is not on track for a 1.5°C world. To achieve the Paris Commitment, South Africa needs to reduce its emissions to below 360 MtCO2e by 2030; to below 231 MtCO2e by 2050. In the next two decades (2020-2040), the global community will experience titanic shifts in the energy, transportation, buildings, industry, agricultural and land use sectors of the economy.  To track the progress toward the achievement of the national commitments, one would have to measure performance on climate change mitigation and adaptability strategies according to International Standards.  The International Standard Organization is yet to pronounce on a specific international standard on carbon emission management.  A study is in progress to make a new and original contribution as part contribution to the global body of knowledge in performance management of carbon emissions. The paper presents a SMART performance management system, one that is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely.  The idea is to define the SMART key performance indicators that could be incorporated into selected and existing international standards.  As a case study, the model is tested using South African data; including adaptability and resilience especially in terms of the projected future times.